Snape

[M.Clifford]

No: HPFGUIDX 114940



> Alex (giving an extraordinary insight into Snape): 
>  But when you teach, there are two kinds of students you have to 
watch out for--those who remind you of your childhood tormentors, 
and those who remind you of your childhood self.  And we teachers 
are at *least* as likely to react with inappropriate emotion to the 
latter group than the former.  The really good teachers can provide 
the students that remind them of themselves with the kind of 
educational experiences they wish they'd had at that age; the rest 
> of us have to constantly be on guard not to unfairly punish them 
for having the flaws we wish we hadn't.
> 
> Alex
> 

Valky:
Oh Bravo Alex!!!!!

Of all the speculative interpretations of Snape I have ever heard 
this is by far The Best! And I think you insult yourself by calling 
it *wild* or hardly supported by canon. Frankly, the canon you cite 
that supports Snape projecting himself on Neville is perfectly 
evidentiary to me and I agree. 

Moreover I believe that it's very likely that what you speculate is 
precisely the characterisation that JKR is reaching for. 
And again, why I think that Neville *will* make a surprise stand on 
Snape in future books, because Neville is *not* young Snape he is 
quite the opposite and until recently he didn't know it of himself. 
Since his DA success and gradually over the course of time Neville 
has grown to realise that he is *strong* and that in due course he 
demonstrates this to Snape is, to me, a necessary junction in the 
story. 

What Snapes' reaction will be I do not know, however I see the two 
ingredients in the mix clearly. Snape sees Neville as vulnerable 
like he was when he was young he sees it and he reacts with 
inappropriate emotional response. If Neville defies this to Snapes 
face he defies much of what Snape has believed for most of his life.

When Neville's courage and strength is displayed to Snape it will be 
a victory of virtue previously inconceivable to Snape. If it's then 
dismissed by Snape that would be an anticlimax so, I expect that, it 
will bring forth an interesting reaction in Snape, something we have 
never seen from him. Perhaps tears of joy or some wry expression of 
happy relief. Maybe it will simply lead to Snape dropping one of his 
guards and revealing a little more of his true self to us. 

Whatever the reaction I am positive that Neville as a catalyst is a 
foregone conclusion. And I am armed to defend it so fire away 
everyone ;D.